The Quick Answer is to drink water, eat well, use nutritional supplements, exercise mildly and incorporate other healthy lifestyle suggestions designed to cleanse your body, strengthen your immune system and ease your pain. Before we look at the details, keep in mind what to expect from treating your cold naturally.

Respond Quickly! The faster you respond to cold symptoms, the better your chances for a speedy recovery with milder symptoms. Don’t expect the kind of fast results found in medications that suppress symptoms. Natural remedies for colds are designed to assist your body in the recovery process. In fact, sometimes, (for a short period of time) symptoms may get worse when using natural therapies. So, unless your fever is very high (>104 degrees F.), try not to suppress any cold symptoms. Next time you have a cold, try some of these suggestions…

Increase Your Fluid Intake: Generally, this means 8 ounces of water every hour. (8-10 glasses/day) Why should you drink water? The main thing is that cells thrive in a water rich environment. Water transports nutrients in and waste products out of a cell. In addition, water keeps your respiratory tract moist which guards against viral infections. It also helps your white blood cells function properly.

Avoid Sugary Beverages, with ingredients like, glucose, fructose, sucrose, honey or fruit juices (i.e. orange juice) that reduce the ability of white blood cells to kill bacteria. If you really want fruit juice – just be sure to dilute and limit your volume to 4 – 8 ounces per day.

Eat Healthy: Your food should be as whole, organic and unprocessed as possible.

Eat Every 3-4 Hours: Keep your food quality light (easy to digest) and watch your portions. Like the saying goes…less is more.

Avoid all dairy products; red meats; sugary, fried or extra fatty type foods that are sure to produce mucus and increase your discomfort.

Drink Cinnamon-Ginger Tea -one time per day - grate a small piece of fresh ginger; squeeze ½ a lemon and ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon in 1 cup of water.

Use Garlic for its infection-fighting properties. Allicin is the pungent aroma produced from raw garlic that has antimicrobial value.

Jerusalem Artichokes have immune-enhancing value from an ingredient called inulin. This ingredient is known to enhance a component of our immune system known as complement which helps our body neutralize viruses.

Walking, stretching and breathing exercises are best to stimulate the immune system, increase circulation and speed your recovery.

REST: Get plenty of it! Allow your body to focus on cleaning out the infection. Cell regeneration occurs best between midnight and 4 a.m.

Hot Baths, Steam, Sauna or Showers: The heat and steam will help your body eliminate waste products.

Get Sunshine: Research shows that 20 minutes per day provides a healthy dose of vitamin D which increases the production of infection-fighting antimicrobial peptides.

Massage: This will help promote good circulation.

Aromatherapy:

• Eucalyptus helps the sinus passages
• Wintergreen relieves nasal congestion
• Mint or Chamomile relieves headaches
• Tea Tree Oil fights infection

Nasal Salt Flush: This will clean out pathogens from the mucous membranes.

Add ½ teaspoon of sea salt to cup of warm water. Fill a dropper with the liquid, tilt head back and fill each nostril. Then blow your nose; Repeat if needed till clean.

Stay Warm: This will keep your body relaxed. Don’t worry about a fever unless it is too high or prolonged.

Stay Positive: Never underestimate the power of your mind. Your thoughts are a self-fulfilling prophecy.